10 of the best woodland walks

Did you know forests cover one third of the Earth's land mass? Not only are they beautiful backdrops for a country stroll and havens for wildlife – they also play a pivotal role in our struggle to control climate change. So, preserving them is vital.

Despite this, global deforestation is taking place at an alarming rate and accounts for 12 to 20% of the global greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.

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International Day of Forests is a global celebration of our woodland intended to raise awareness about the importance of forests. So, what better time to round up our favourite woodland walks?

1. Grizedale, Cumbria

With hilly paths snaking through the forest, you'll have to earn Grizdale's spectacular mountain views through a fairly strenuous uphill hike, but they're worth the effort. If you're feeling fit, try climbing Carron Crag - the highest point in the area at 314 metres. Here you'll find panoramic views to the Lakeland Fells. But if you're not quite up to the big hills, there are walks for every ability here, including the nice and easy Millwood Trail which offers a shaded, mile-long walk along a stream.

Close to the historic Runnymede, on the far side of the Thames - is a sanctuary of wooded parkland where you can stroll through swathes of snowdrops and spring flowers to find the National Trust's oldest tree – the 2, 500 year old Ankerwycke yew – beneath which Henry VIII is said to have courted Anne Boleyn. Anderwycke is a wonderful spot for a peaceful walk away from the chaos of the city.

For night owls, Kielder's star-studded skies are said to be the darkest in England, so why not take an evening tour and see the sky as you never have before?! If you're more a bed-by-9pm person there are plenty of walks during which you can take in lovely long horizons. Moderate walkers could try the two-mile Duchess Trail, which follows the course of Kielder Burn upstream past a brilliant maze that kids will love. The more hardy could take the eight-mile Deadwater Trail, taking you to the summit of the 571 metre Deadwater Fell. Wildlife enthusiasts should bring their binoculars because over half of England's red squirrel population live within these woods.

Despite its natural appearance, and the fact it was once described by a 19th Century writer as a "beautiful wilderness", Hackfall Wood is in fact not a forest but a Grade I listed garden, created by 18th Century landscaper John Aislabie.

William Wordsworth wrote about Hackfall in his Guides for Tourists, while Turner painted the area. It's no wonder as, scattered throughout the trees, there are follies, grottoes, surprise waterfalls and even a fountain. If you're feeling ambitious, the 17.5 mile Aislabie Walk joins several of the landscapes designed by the Aislabies - from Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey all the way to to Hackfall.

Home to over 3,500 species of wildlife, Hatfield is Britain's best surviving medieval royal hunting forest, having been cultivated and coppiced by humans in order to manage and maintain it. Many of its ancient trees are over 1,000 years old.

With a maze of pathways winding through gullies of mossy rock, you can truly lose yourself in this enchanting forest. Puzzlewood is said to have inspired JRR Tolkien's fabled forests in Middle Earth and is the perfect place for a family stroll with plenty to keep kids entertained like 'dinosaur feet', balancing beams, secret caves and magical doorways.

The beech and oak woodland on this 2,000 hectare area of the Chiltern Hills is so magical that it starred in the fantasy film Malificent. For the ultimate fairytale experience head here in the spring - when the ground will be carpeted with bluebells and try the ancient tree walk or woodland walk which both start and finish at the Bridgewater monument.

The real life Five Hundred Acre Wood: Ashdown was A.A.Milne's inspiration for Winnie-the-Pooh's beloved home. Originally, the area was a Norman deer hunting forest and is still one of the largest free public access spaces in the South East.

There are oodles of walks to choose from. For a short stroll, perfect for little legs, try one of two Pooh Walks from Gills Lap, which will take you to the sites of some of Pooh's great adventures. Or, for something a little more challenging, try The Military on the Forest Archaeology Walk which has a few uphill sections and highlights WW1 trenches.

At just over four miles, the Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a circular route which will take you around the ancient base rocks that form the Peak District to some spectacular waterfalls. First you'll meander along the River Twiss through woodland of oak, ash, birch and hazel - before going over Maror Bridge towards the wonderful Pecca Falls. The walk continues past Thornton Force - a famous 14-metre fall, before taking you along an old Roman Road with spectacular views of the Yorkshire Dales Three Peaks.

In the heart of the Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond, this 10, 000 acre estate is the largest area the Woodland Trust presides over. The Mell Circuit takes in the lovely Glen Finglas Reservoir then takes you through wonderful woodland and rushing streams before reaching a more bleak mountain summit.

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